Yet do the frailest threads of love and trust, make a safer rope to which to cling when shipwreck threatens the heart, than the iron chains of obligation and duty.
Presently a sordid doubt seized upon Mother Sub-Prioress.

Had the robin finished the cheese, and come to her thus, merely to ask for more?
Very slowly she ventured to turn her head, until the stone coping at her elbow came into her range of vision.
Then a glow of pride and happiness warmed her heart.

Three--four--five fragments remained! Not for greed or favour had this little wild thing of his own free will drawn near.
For what, then?
.

.

.
Mother Sub-Prioress whispered the answer; and as she whispered it, her tears fell afresh; but now they were tears without bitterness; a healing fount seemed to well up within her softening heart.
For love?
Yea, verily! For love of her, those small brown wings had brought him near, those bright eyes were unafraid.
"For love of me," she whispered.